Casual, Cool and Collected

Chinos and Jeans Are the Great Fashion Equalizers—Which Makes It All the More Remarkable That These Celebs Can Still Achieve a State of Grace in Denim and on the Run

Outside his London home in March, JUDE LAW—the best-dressed man in Britain, according to the U.K. edition of GO magazine-sported the perfect accessory: a Burberry baby carrier (for daughter Iris, then 5 months).

We are not on the fence about this: PRINCE WILLIAM, looking dapper in a sweater and jeans at Highgrove (his father's country home in Gloucestershire) last fait, is proof that this 6'2" heir to the throne is no slouch.

JENNIFER LOPEZ was first-class in the arrivals lounge of London's Heathrow Airport last September, with billowing shawl and aviator glasses. "This is dressed-down, but it still says, 'I'm a star,' " observes People's Steven Cojocaru.

Whoa, dude. With a rugged sweater around his shoulders before a December lunch date in LA, KEANU REEVES—usually the poster boy for guitar grunge—is transformed.

ANGELA BASSETT gets a high Score for spiking the basic black pants she wore to the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica in March with daring white stilettos. "She nailed it," says Cojocaru. "She knows how to spice up a simple outfit."

Cantering in Chloé, GWYNETH PALTROW collared the perfect outfit at Toronto's International Film Festival last year. Mathematicians will appreciate the perfect symmetry of her clavicles, highlighted by her halter top.

Urban-outfitted BEN STILLER (strolling in Manhattan last October) opted for a regular-guy getup that works on the city's streets, at the ballpark—even to meet the parents. "It's sporty and spiffy," says Cojocaru. "Relaxed but not schlumpy."

At a Manhattan screening of The Contender last fall, The View's LISA LING teamed a Vivienne Tam leather jacket with Katayone Adeli pants, a Gucci bag—and her own megawatt grin. She evidently remembered the cardinal rule: A smile goes with everything.

Dr. Dolittle's EDDIE MURPHY didn't have to do much to look good in leather at the L.A. premiere of How the Grinch Stole Christmas last fall. But if Murphy could really talk to the animals, he would have a bit of explaining to do.

The verdict is in: Wearing a beige sweater, Theory jeans and serious black Armani eyeglasses, former Law & Order star ANGIE HARMON (at the New York City premiere of Bridget Jones's Diary in April) looked smart.